Men’s tennis world No. 1 Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Paris Masters due to a virus.
Sinner’s exit was announced on the tournament’s social media channels, confirming his fitness problem.
He explained in a video: “Hey guys, I’m here. I’m very disappointed to tell you that I am not able to play here at this tournament.
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“I came here very early to prepare and then I felt sick. I have a virus at the moment, which is gonna pass in the next two or three days. Body-wise, I am not able to compete.
“I am very, very sorry for that. I will see you guys [in Paris] next year. Hopefully it will be a great year. And this year – without me. Hopefully I’ll see you next year. Ciao.”
The withdrawal means that Carlos Alcaraz is now the clear favourite for the tournament after seeing one of his biggest rivals on the tour pull out. The Spaniard is now the top seed for the competition.
Sinner had been set to take to the court on Wednesday in his first match, but his likely focus will now be the season-ending ATP Tour finals in his native Italy next month.
Sinner says things can ‘change so fast’ amid duopoly with Alcaraz – ‘Not only me and Carlos’
The Italian last week won a huge £4.6 million prize in Saudi Arabia at the Six Kings Slam.
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